Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 October 2008
In the theory of the iteration of a rational function or transcendental entire function R(z) of the complex variable z we study the sequence of natural iterates, {Rn(z):n = 0, 1,…}, of R, where
The domain of definition of the iterates is , the extended complex plane (if R is rational), and (if R is entire transcendental) with the topology of the chordal metric and euclidean metric respectively. Fatou(5) and Julia(9) developed a global theory of the iteration of a rational function. In (6) Fatou extended the theory of (5) to transcendental entire functions. A central role is played in the theory by the F-set, F(R), of R, R rational or entire, which is defined to be the set of points at which the family of iterates do not form a normal family in the sense of Montel.